WTO reform talks advance with focus on MC15 timing

WTO members emphasized moving from process to substance in reform talks, calling for concrete proposals and progress on dispute settlement. The Chair of the General Council, Ambassador Clare Kelly of New Zealand, noted members are close to a decision on the location of the 15th Ministerial Conference (MC15). Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said it was encouraging to see members bringing forward ideas on WTO reform and called on delegations to put forward more concrete proposals and ideas.

Several members stressed the importance of moving discussions from process to substance. Many cited the need to better account for development concerns and advance on agricultural reform. Delegations agreed WTO reform and negotiations should be mutually reinforcing. Discussions focused on foundational principles of the multilateral trading system and development concerns. Reference was made to digital trade, artificial intelligence, investment facilitation, dispute settlement reform, and longstanding mandates.

Director-General Okonjo-Iweala said this was a welcome indication that progress can be made when members engage in a solutions-oriented manner. She heard from an overwhelming majority a clear determination to push forward. She said it is evident that we remain stuck in several areas, bringing shared frustration, but there was no sense of resignation. She encouraged members to step up their efforts and engage constructively to find a way forward. There will be difficult moments ahead. The test will be whether members remain at the table and work through difficulties rather than step back.

MC15 preparations underway

Discussions highlighted the approaching 15th Ministerial Conference, with members noting the need to fix dates and optimize outcomes. The dates for MC15 have not been fixed, but members know it will approach quickly. Ambassador Kelly addressed follow-up on outcomes of the 14th Ministerial Conference held last March. Twenty-six members took the floor during the follow-up on MC14 outcomes item. Many emphasized the importance of following through on ministerial decisions and translating commitments into concrete results.

Particular reference was made to outstanding work on agriculture and development. Several members called for renewed engagement on the e-commerce work programme and moratorium. On agriculture, Director-General Okonjo-Iweala called on members to bring forward new ideas and approaches. She stated, "If old formulas have not worked, we should not be afraid to try something different." On talks regarding additional provisions for the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, she urged members to avoid a 'sunsetting' of the agreement.

On services, she said the sector has significant potential to bring new dynamism and noted the need to keep pace with AI developments. The WTO needs to keep pace with rapid developments related to artificial intelligence and continue pressing for a multilateral outcome on the e-commerce moratorium. Members noted the upcoming 2026 Global Review of Aid for Trade later this month and highlighted its role in responding to evolving development needs.

Challenges in participation and scheduling

Smaller delegations raised concerns about meeting overlaps and resource constraints, while members supported exploring new meeting formats. Members broadly supported intensifying work toward MC15 but expressed concerns about growing workload and overlapping meetings. Thirty-four members took the floor during the Trade Negotiations Committee report item. The Chair said she heard clearly the concerns voiced by members about the pace and scheduling of meetings.

Ambassador Kelly said she heard support for facilitators exploring meeting format options, which will be the focus for the next phase of reform meetings. She noted many useful suggestions were made by members on improving the discussion process. These suggestions would play a critical role in helping her and the WTO reform facilitators consider their approach . She said she would revert to members after careful consideration of their feedback.

Follow-up on MC14 outcomes

Members reviewed progress since the 14th Ministerial Conference, noting little change on e-commerce moratorium and agriculture, and called for renewed engagement. Director-General Okonjo-Iweala welcomed the adoption of two decisions related to least developed countries at the General Council's July meeting. On remaining issues from MC14, no significant changes have been detected since the last General Council meeting in July. These issues include the WTO's electronic commerce work programme and the moratorium on non-violation and situation complaints under TRIPS.

Leadership feedback and next steps

The Chair and Director-General acknowledged member input, pledging to consider feedback and encourage constructive engagement . Ambassador Kelly referenced her statement on WTO reform talks from a transparency session on 30 September. Nearly 60 speakers took the floor during the WTO reform discussions item. Reporting as chair of the Trade Negotiations Committee, Director-General Okonjo-Iweala noted remarks from the TNC meeting of 1 October on the state of play in ongoing negotiations.

She noted ongoing discussions on dispute settlement reform under the aegis of the Dispute Settlement Body. The DSB Chair, Ambassador Guilherme de Aguiar Patriota of Brazil, had provided several updates on discussions since July. He intends to continue updating members on informal meetings and hold further information sessions on different topics. The Chair will revert to members after careful consideration of their feedback on improving the discussion process.